In a recent interview, rapper 50 Cent opened up about his longstanding feud with Irv Gotti, especially in light of Gotti’s recent passing on February 5. Following the news, 50 Cent took to social media, posting a controversial message that he was “smoking on that Gotti pack.” This bold statement has sparked discussions around the ethics of mocking the deceased, particularly when the relationship between the two figures has been fraught with animosity for over 15 years.
50 Cent, who famously survived being shot nine times, reflected on the life-threatening nature of that experience, suggesting that it fundamentally changed his outlook and made him more resilient. “You don’t know whether you’re going to make it out of that,” he stated, emphasizing the psychological impact of his near-fatal encounter. In the context of his feud with Gotti, he pointed out that surviving such violence has left him unafraid of conflict.
The origins of the feud trace back to the late 1990s when 50 Cent was an emerging rapper competing with established names like Ja Rule, who was signed to Gotti’s Murder Inc. label. Tensions escalated when 50 Cent’s friend was involved in a robbery against Ja Rule, leading to animosity between the two artists. Gotti, who played a pivotal role in the music industry at the time, was perceived as using his influence to blacklist 50 Cent from major record labels, which only fueled the fire of their rivalry.
50 Cent’s breakout moment came after signing with Eminem and Dr. Dre, which ultimately turned the tables in his favor. Despite being initially rejected by major labels, including Columbia and Def Jam, his collaboration with Eminem skyrocketed his career, leading to massive commercial success with hits like “In Da Club.” This success, however, came at a cost, as it further entrenched the rivalry with Gotti and Ja Rule.
In the aftermath of Gotti’s death, the rapper’s reaction has drawn mixed responses. While some view 50 Cent’s trolling as distasteful, others, including industry figures like Wack 100, have defended his actions, arguing that it reflects the brutal realities of their long-standing conflict. Gotti’s influence on 50 Cent’s early career and the subsequent fallout from their rivalry highlight the complexities of personal and professional relationships in the music industry.
Despite the passing of Gotti, 50 Cent has expressed no desire to bury the hatchet. In the interview, he reiterated that he could never be comfortable around someone who had harbored animosity towards him for so long. As 50 Cent continues to thrive in his career, evolving into a media mogul with various successful ventures, the specter of his feud with Gotti and Ja Rule remains part of his legacy.
The dynamics of this rivalry serve as a reminder of the often tumultuous relationships within the hip-hop community, where respect, loyalty, and betrayal can shape careers and lives. As fans and industry insiders reflect on Gotti’s contributions to music, they are also left to contemplate the ongoing implications of his rivalry with 50 Cent, which has become a defining narrative in hip-hop history.